Gov’t offers discounts on TVs, services to poor

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Gov’t offers discounts on TVs, services to poor

Lower-income families and basic living subsidy recipients?will receive a 30 percent subsidy from the government on purchases of digital televisions as part of efforts to give access to digital TV services to a wider range of the population, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning announced yesterday.?

According to the ministry, about 69 percent of all Korean households subscribe to such services, but only 36.4 percent of low-income families do so.

The ministry will start receiving subsidy requests next Monday on purchases of the TVs and subscriptions to digital services.

The potential beneficiaries are estimated to be 1.97 million people nationwide, including low-income families, basic living subsidy recipients, people with visual and auditory disabilities and veterans. To be eligible, they can’t already own a digital TV.

About 5.57 million households nationwide do not own a digital TV, and 1.05 million households are eligible for the subsidy.

The discount is only applicable to designated TV models priced between 219,000 won to 642,000 won ($206 to $604). Each household is limited to one device.

In addition, they can subscribe to a service package with 30 paid cable channels for only 3,000 won to 4,000 won a month, the same rate as basic analogue channels. More channels and interactive services will be available with 30 percent discounts, 20 percent to 60 percent discounts for cable TV service and 30 percent for IPTV and satellite TV services.

People who own a digital TV can apply for the subscription rate discounts.


BY KIM JI-YOON [jiyoon.kim@joongang.co.kr]

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